Netflix releases acclaimed Ava DuVernay racial inequality documentary 13th for free
Netflix has made Ava DuVernay's powerful documentary 13th available to non-subscribers.
As Black Lives Matter demonstrations – sparked initially by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis – continue across the globe, the streaming platform has also uploaded the film to YouTube.
Released in 2016, 13th examines focuses on racial prejudices within the US prison system through interviews with politicians, historians, academics and several Black individuals who have experienced jail time.
It gets its name from the American Constitution's 13th amendment, which reads: "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States."
Since its release, 13th has garnered critical acclaim, with reviewers praising its "calmly controlled" exploration of "incendiary" observations. In 2017, it was nominated for an Academy Award.
"DuVernay's film 13th is necessary context & if you haven't seen, should be at the top of your list," The Maze Runner star Dylan O'Brien tweeted.
Related: 14 of the best films and documentaries to educate yourself on racism and Black oppression
"Watched 13th for the first time last night. Can't believe I missed it in 2016 - disquieting, harrowing, scarily timeless but above all, *incredibly* informative. The documentary you NEED to watch right now, it's on Netflix - let Ava DuVernay educate you," one viewer also wrote recently.
"Can't believe it's taken me this long to watch but 13th by @ava is educational, shocking, painful and an absolute must-see," another said.
DuVernay previously directed Martin Luther King biopic Selma, which is also available to stream for free in the US on YouTube, Apple and Amazon Prime.
For more information on how you can support Black Lives Matter, please visit its official website or donate here. Readers can also donate to the UK anti-discrimination group Stand Up To Racism, and the Unite Families & Friends Campaign, which supports those affected by deaths in police, prison and psychiatric custody.
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